By walter okello I june 17 2026
A fresh dispute has erupted over the ownership of Aler Farm in Lira District after a section of residents rejected the outcome of a mediation process, accusing some district leaders of acting in bad faith and pursuing personal interests in the contested land.
The dispute centres on about 1,000 acres of land at Aler Farm. A group of residents led by Thomas Ogweng has opposed a mediation agreement between Lira District Local Government and another group led by Tom Ogwal Atocon, which recommended allocating 303 acres of the disputed land to Atocon’s team.
The aggrieved residents have since petitioned the Solicitor General, seeking to halt the implementation of the mediation recommendations until all affected residents are consulted and heard.
The land dispute has persisted for years after Lira District claimed ownership of approximately 1,000 acres at Aler Farm as public land, while residents led by Tom ogwal Atocon insist the land is ancestral property that has belonged to their families for generations.
In an effort to resolve the conflict, representatives of the residents led by Tom Ogwal Atocon entered mediation with district leaders after the court advised the parties to pursue mediation.
According to documents obtained by this publication, Lira District Chief Administrative Officer Ismael Ochengel wrote to the High Court in Lira on May 4, 2026, confirming the outcome of the mediation. The letter was received by the court on May 6, 2026.
The mediation report was based on meetings held on November 19 and December 3, 2025, before being submitted to the District Executive Committee for consideration.
The report recommends that the 500 acres currently allocated to the Uganda Investment Authority remain under the agency, while the remaining 303 acres be allocated to the affected residents through Lira District.
It also recommends that residents whose land are affected by the construction of the Lira–Kitgum Road be compensated and that land titles should be given to the resident to facilitate sub division of the said land to clearly distinguish the community land from the portion belonging to the Uganda Investment Authority.
However, residents led by Thomas Ogweng, who oppose the mediation process, have rejected its recommendations, arguing that the process was neither transparent nor inclusive and instead favoured a small group of individuals. They maintain that Aler Farm is public land that their ancestors voluntarily gave to the government many years ago and should not be allocated for private interests.
In their petition, the residents accuse some district officials of conducting the mediation in bad faith, alleging that the process was intended to facilitate the allocation of the disputed land to private individuals seeking to take over what they insist is government-owned land.
They have called on the Solicitor General to visit Aler Farm, consult all affected stakeholders, and independently establish the facts before issuing a legal opinion on the matter.
Thomas Ogweng, one of the petitioners, alleged that Lira District LCV Chairperson Okello Orik influenced the mediation because he intends to acquire 100 acres from the disputed land while also benefiting from compensation linked to the Lira–Kitgum Road project.
Ogweng further argued that the mediation process did not adequately represent all affected residents and should therefore not be implemented in its current form.
Another resident, Thomas Omoo Opio Omara, said the community had protected the land for many years and expressed concern over what he described as the silence of Lira City authorities, despite the disputed land falling within the city’s jurisdiction.
“Our leaders in Lira City should wake up and help defend this government land before it is too late. If the land is lost, it could jeopardise future development projects that would benefit the community,” Omara said.
Tonny Okello, the LCII Chairperson of Ongura Ward, where Aler Farm is located, said local leaders have worked to protect the land from encroachment but have received limited support from higher authorities.
Okello said that if members of the community protecting the disputed land take action against those claiming ownership of it, no authority or law enforcement agency should question them, arguing that the responsible authorities have completely failed to address the matter.
Responding to the allegations, Chief Administrative Officer Ismael Ochengel said the district reached an understanding with the original claimants after setting aside the 500 acres belonging to the Uganda Investment Authority.
Ochengel said the District Executive Committee approved the mediation recommendations before forwarding the matter to the Solicitor General for legal guidance. He added that the district would implement whatever legal advice is issued.
Lira District Council Speaker Moses Otim said the matter has never been tabled before the District Council for discussion, meaning councillors have not taken an official position on the dispute.
He said the council is expected to debate the matter during its next sitting and seek explanations from the responsible offices regarding concerns over the proposed allocation of the land.
Meanwhile, LCV Chairperson Okello Orik dismissed allegations that he is interested in acquiring 100 acres at Aler Farm, describing the claims as false. He maintained that his only interest is to see the dispute resolved lawfully and in the best interest of the district.
The Solicitor General’s legal opinion is now expected to determine the next course of action in resolving one of Lira District’s longest-running and most contentious land disputes.